Finding the right men's swimwear isn't always an easy task. If you're not a spandex Speedo guy, you're probably going with board shorts, but when riding up, chafing, and just being flat-out ugly, are common problems, it can be tricky to find something that checks every box. Classic boardie brands like Billabong, Prana, Volcom, Hurley, O'neill, RVCA, and Quiksilver still make excellent board shorts, but we've always taken pride rounding up some of the smaller trending brands that often fly under the radar when it comes to mainstream surfwear.
With design in mind, these fashion-forward board short brands make comfortable and functional men's swim trunks, and they (mostly) don't break the bank. They're proving that men's board shorts don't have to be boring (or feature Hawaiian print patterns). Whether you're hitting the beach, catching some waves, or just lounging around town, these swimsuits hit the overlap between style and purpose.
Field Mag's Top Picks
- Best Overall: Birdwell Classic Board Shorts
- Best Performance Board Short: Florence F1 Pro Hawaii Boardshort
- Most Versatile: Patagonia Baggies
- Best Upgrade: Outerknown Apex Trunks by Kelly Slater
- Best Affordable Board Shorts: NeedEssentials Side Pocket Board Shorts
- Best Black Boardshorts: Banks Journal Journal Boardshort
- Best Grail-Worthy Board Short: Rash Handmade Boardshorts
- Best NYC Brand: Pilgrim Dorry 17 Board Short
- Best Long Boardshorts: Former Dane 2.0 Trunk
- Best Patterns: Critical Slide Boardshorts